“Comrade Feng seems reluctant for me to call the police?” Zhang Liunian asked Captain Feng Shoucai, who was leading the team, with a half-smile.
Feng Shoucai’s heart skipped a beat, a fine layer of sweat breaking out on his back. He forced his expression to calm down, “You’re overthinking it. It has nothing to do with us whether you call the police or not.
We came here wanting to get the payment for the goods quickly. This payment was the total price calculated by Supervisor Tang after appraising all the merchandise. Both parties have signed and sealed it, and it cannot be changed.
We kindly ask Comrade Zhang Liunian to complete the contract as soon as possible. Otherwise, we may take coercive measures, and it’s uncertain whether this department store will still be yours then.”
This is a threat?
Who’s afraid of whom?
“I’m afraid things aren’t as Comrade Feng imagines, because I will be pursuing this through legal channels. Whoever you signed with, go find them. I won’t take the blame for this.”
Zhang Liunian told him directly that whoever signed for the ten million yuan back then, they should go find that person. It had nothing to do with him.
Feng Shoucai was choked with anger. He came here to force Zhang Liunian to repay this money, not to have him go to court again. Wouldn’t that expose himself?
But he was afraid that if he said anything more about the police being useless, it would draw Zhang Liunian’s attention. So, after several twists and turns, he said, “The department store is yours now. You have to bear all responsibilities for everything related to the department store. Since you chose to take over the department store, you should fulfill the contract’s terms.
I am now solemnly reminding you that this contract has a time limit. By sunset tomorrow at the latest, you must hand over the ten million yuan in full to us.
Otherwise, the department store will be sealed, unable to continue operations, and it will be put up for auction again.”
Zhang Liunian continued to smile at Feng Shoucai, his expression remaining largely unchanged, “Whether it’s auctioned or not, that’s not for Comrade Feng to worry about. In any case, I’ve decided to go through legal procedures. I have plenty of time to wait until the truth is revealed.”
His words were pointed, making Feng Shoucai inexplicably uneasy, as if he had seen through his thoughts.
“Hmph, you’re quite tough-mouthed. I hope you can still say that tomorrow.” Feng Shoucai stood up, and after speaking, he quickly left with his entourage, as fast as they had entered to demand ten million yuan.
Just as they left, the police arrived on official business, and Mr. Xue also happened to arrive at the department store to bid farewell to Zhang Liunian.
“Liunian, I’ll entertain Mr. Xue, and you entertain these police officers.” Jiang Qingqing, who had been watching her man being troubled for the entire morning from a corner, saw both groups arrive at the same time. Knowing Zhang Liunian was pressed for time, she volunteered to go and meet Mr. Xue.
Because if she stayed, she didn’t know how to help her husband and couldn’t even get a word in edgewise.
After a moment’s thought, she proactively offered to see Mr. Xue on her husband’s behalf.
After all, he was just saying goodbye, and it shouldn’t be a big deal.
“You?” Zhang Liunian held his wife’s slightly nervous small hand, his face full of worry.
The matter with Zhu Laosan yesterday still lingered in his mind. Now that his wife offered to go down alone to meet someone, how could he not be worried?
Jiang Qingqing sensed his concern and smiled, saying, “I’ll just talk inside the department store. It’ll be fine. Even if Zhu Laosan isn’t dead, he won’t be jumping around today.”
She felt she was safe now. Zhu Laosan was in a terrible state yesterday, severely injured. She didn’t believe that even if Zhu Laosan was rescued, he would be able to counterattack so quickly.
However, Zhang Liunian was still uneasy, “I’ll have some staff accompany you.”
Jiang Qingqing opened her mouth to refuse, but after a moment, she agreed.
Thus, with Zhang Liunian’s approval, Jiang Qingqing, accompanied by two office staff members, went to the lounge area on the first floor of the department store.
“Mr. Xue?” Jiang Qingqing saw Mr. Xue sitting with his assistant, exuding an air of importance, from a distance.
Mr. Xue stood up and looked towards her upon hearing Jiang Qingqing’s voice, but he didn’t see Zhang Liunian.
“Mrs. Zhang.” Mr. Xue politely stood up and greeted Jiang Qingqing when she approached, but his eyes still cast a glance behind her.
Jiang Qingqing noticed his gaze and knew he was looking for her husband, Liunian. However, given the numerous troubles, Liunian couldn’t get away. She said awkwardly, “My Liunian is currently dealing with the police and can’t get away for a while.”
Mr. Xue had come to deliver an invitation. Upon hearing that Zhang Liunian was once again entangled with the police, he was puzzled, “Did something happen?”
Could it be that this department store had some problems?
This department store was personally given to him by Zhang Liunian in return for the Tie Feimu bed. If there were any problems, it wouldn’t look good, as if he had deliberately passed on trouble to Zhang Liunian.
“We came to take over the department store today, and we discovered that the supervisor, Tang Guo, feigned unconsciousness. Then we learned that she owed ten million yuan to superiors and owed several million to merchants. But she’s nowhere to be found.
Liunian doesn’t want her to get away, so he’s reporting the crime to apprehend her and wants to understand how these debts came about.”
Jiang Qingqing had been listening in the office and had a general understanding of the situation, so explaining it was no problem.
“Tang Guo? She actually did such a thing?” Mr. Xue had met Tang Guo, the supervisor of this department store, before. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call her a beauty rarely seen in a century. Moreover, at their first meeting, Tang Guo was poised and composed, a beauty of great depth.
She had left a deep impression on him. He never expected that the next time he heard about her, it would be that she had set a trap for Zhang Liunian to clean up her mess.
“It must have been her, because no one else could have done these things.” Jiang Qingqing affirmed that Tang Guo was inextricably linked to this matter when she saw his slight disbelief. 138 Reading Network
“This is a bit difficult. In cases like this, there isn’t a clear boundary in China. It’s hard to determine who is responsible.
However, I gave this department store to you and your wife. I will inform my superiors and see if we can help find Tang Guo, and then hold her solely responsible.”
“Wouldn’t that be too much trouble for you?” Jiang Qingqing was happy, but then she worried about owing a favor and felt very embarrassed.
“If you feel bad about it, you and your wife can come to Hong Kong three months from now to attend the business exchange meeting hosted by Mr. Fu and me. That would be considered settling the debt.”
Having interacted with Zhang Liunian and his wife, Mr. Xue found that neither of them was the type to take advantage of others. When dealing with such people, there was no need to worry about them calculating.
“I need to ask Liunian about this. I can’t make decisions.” Jiang Qingqing really didn’t dare to readily agree to such exchange meetings. Who knew if they would have time in three months?
“It’s alright. Take this invitation. Whether you come or not is up to you; this is just my suggestion and doesn’t represent you. You just need to remember to give this invitation to Comrade Liunian.
Oh, and be careful in the provincial capital from now on. Zhu Laosan has likely been rescued. The fact that the Zhu family isn’t in chaos is a signal. Remember to relay this to Comrade Liunian.” After speaking, Mr. Xue returned to his residence with his assistant to pack and prepare to leave.
His flight was at seven in the evening, and there was still plenty of time before boarding.
Jiang Qingqing, looking at the retro invitation in her hand, walked back to the rooftop.